Provence Calling (2026)
Exploring Art, Culture and Springtime in the South of France
Tour Hosts: Sevan Melikyan and Maria Guralnik
Embark on a captivating 10-day journey through Provence and the French Riviera in April 2026, following legendary artists' footsteps such as Renoir, Chagall, and Van Gogh. Explore the history and legends of Nice, St-Paul-de-Vence, St. Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, and Avignon. Discover Matisse's Chapelle du Rosaire, Cézanne's studio, and the iconic village sites and surrounding countryside that inspired Van Gogh. Expert-led visits, Provençal cuisine, 4-star accommodations and time for self-exploration will maximize your enjoyment. This small-group tour is limited to 12 participants, ensuring a personalized experience of the region's artistic legacy.
Tour Dates: March 23 to April 1, 2026
Duration: 10 Days / 9 nights
Cost*: $5400 (double occupancy)
Single Supplement $600
*Tour begins in Nice and ends in Marseille, France.
Airfare to Nice and from Marseille are not included.
Group Size: Minimum 9, Maximum 12
Commitment Deadline: September 1, 2025
Status: Open
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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9 nights in 4-star hotels including all breakfasts
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7 Dinners and 8 Lunches
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Ground transportation including airport transfers
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Tour museums, activities, and ticketed events
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Free access to a pre-tour Zoom lecture series
THE EXPERIENCE
This moderately-paced tour is designed to illuminate the history, legends, and landscape that has drawn many of the world’s most celebrated artists to the south of France from the 19th century to today. Stays in three of Provence’s charming old world cities (Nice, Aix-en-Provence, and Arles) along with day trips to the perched villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Baux, the medieval majesty of Avignon, and the picturesque convent where Van Gogh painted many of his late works. While a main focus is art in museums, galleries and artist studios, count on a range of complementary cultural activities including a visit to Carrières des Lumières (immersive art projections in a stone quarry) and ample opportunity to savor a range of regional culinary delights and that famous rosé. Free time is built in to ensure you also have time to discover and thoroughly explore your own path. Be prepared to be on your feet for 2-3 hours with an ability to navigate cobbled streets and steps.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Nice (4 nights): Old Town Walking Tour, Hotel Negresco Art Collection, Fine Arts Museum, Chagall Museum, Renoir Museum
Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Maeght Foundation, Matisse Chapel, Old Town Walking Tour
Saint-Tropez: Annonciade Museum
Aix-en-Provence (2 nights): Cézanne’s Studio, Saturday Market, Granet Museum, Old Town Walking Tour in the Footsteps of Cézanne
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume: Mary Magdalene Basilica
Arles (3 nights): Walking Tour in the Footsteps of Van Gogh, Saint Trophime Cathedral and Cloisters, Roman Arena
Baux-de-Provence: Carrières de Lumières
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Walking Tour in the Footsteps of Van Gogh, Saint-Paul-de-Mausole (Van Gogh’s Room)
Avignon: Palace of the Popes, Avignon Bridge
LECTURE SERIES
All trip participants will be provided free access to Sevan's pre-trip five-lecture series Provence Calling. All lectures are also available to armchair travelers.
TOUR HOSTS: Sevan Melikyan is a passionate visual artist and art educator. Born in Istanbul to Armenian parents, he has led numerous international art tours for Artful Journeys and is the owner and curator of Wired Gallery in High Falls, New York.
His wife, Maria Guralnik, has had a long career as a music manager and is the chair of the BA in Arts Management program at Purchase College, SUNY.